GB2156473A - Collapsible ducting - Google Patents

Abstract

Ventilation ducting comprising a plurality of rigid or semi-rigid elongate panels connected together by elongate longitudinally extending jointing members or integral hinges between said panels to form said ducting. Preferably, said elongate panels will be composed of metal - more preferably steel - and said longitudinal extending jointing members will preferably be flexible rubber or plastics so as to act as hinges to enable relative movement between said plurality of panels. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ducting This invention relates to ducting, and in particular to ventilation ducting.

Ducting according to the present invention is primarily intended for use in mining installations and civil engineering where circulation of air is required to prevent hazards and to reduce air contamination.

Conventional ducting fall into four main categories namely:~ (i) plain unsupported fabric for positive pressure forcing systems only; (ii) wire reinforced fabric for positive or negative pressure systems; (iii) steel or other metal tubing, also for use in positive or negative pressure systems; and (iv) glass fibre reinforced plastics material for use in positive or negative pressure systems, the material being rigid.

Steel or other metal ducting is generally accepted as being the most efficient in use, but such ducting has the disadvantage of being very bulky to transport, this being the reason for the use of wire reinforced fabric ducting which is able to be compressed for transport and storage.

The present invention seeks to provide improved ducting which is collapsible or easily assembled and which has the strength and efficiency of steel ducting, as well as the desirable aspects of easy storage and transportation.

According to the present invention, there is provided ducting comprising a plurality of rigid or semi-rigid elongate panels connected together by elongate longitudinally extending jointing members or integral hinges between said panels to form said ducting. Preferably, said elongate panels will be composed of metal-more preferably steel and said longitudinal extending jointing members will preferably be flexible so as to act as hinges to enable relative movement between said plurality of panels. Said jointing members, preferably formed of rubber or plastics material are in a preferred embodiment separable from said panels to enable said panels to be transported or stored in a flat condition.

Said panels may be provided with corrugations or reinforcing ribs.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:~ Figure 1 is a perspective view of an end portion of a panel forming part of ducting according to the invention; Figure 2 is an end view of a plurality of panels of Fig. 1 connected together, the assembly being shown in collapsed condition for storage or transportation purposes.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the assembly of Fig. 2 in erected condition; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of an end member for maintaining the profile of the assembly of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, and firstly to Fig.

3, the ducting comprises elongate panels 2, 4, 6, and 8 connected together by elongate jointing members 10, 12, 14, and 16 which are formed of rubber or synthetic plastics material.

As will best be seen from Fig. 1, each elongate panel-for example, panel 2-is flanged at each end as indicated by reference numeral 2A, and each longitudinal edge of the panel is rolled to form arcuate channel sections 2B and 2C, each panel being a onepiece, integrally formed member. The other panels are formed identical to panel 2. The panels are formed of metal, and preferably of steel, and will each be provided with at least one lug or other means (not shown) by which the ducting may be suspended in its position of use.

The elongate jointing members are each formed with two circular cross-section portions, such as are indicated by reference numeral 1 0A and 10B connected together by a web or flange 1 or. The jointing members are composed of flexible rubber or synthetic plastics material.

To maintain the shape or profile of the assembled ducting such as that shown in Fig. 3 catch end of the assembly is fitted with a rigid end piece 20~Fig. 4provided with inwardly facing lugs 22 which locate between the circular cross-section portions of the elongate jointing members.The lugs may be formed as separate members if preferred.

Alternatively, the shape or profile may be maintained by internally or externally fitting tie bars or rigid corner pieces.

Known coupling means may be used to connect together adjacent in-line assemblies, or such in-line assemblies may be male/female interfitting assemblies.

Because the elongate jointing members are formed of a flexible material, the jointing members may serve as "hinges" to enable the assembly to be collapsed ss shown in Fig. 2~for storage or transportation purposes, these "hinges" being self-sealing in use of the ducting assembly or being presealed on assembly.

It will be understood, of course, that the panels and jointing members may be separable to enable the panels to be transported or stored individually, and also to effect repair and/or to modify the cross-section of an assembly.

Whilst a generally square section assembly has been illustrated, it will be appreciated that the ducting may be other than square, and that the ducting may have more or less than four sides.

In order to couple together assemblies of differing cross-sectional shapes or sizes, a series of adaptors may be used which will preferably locate in adjacent ends of assemblies to be connected in place of the end piece 20 or in addition to the end piece 20.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the ducting panels may be in the form of a roller shutter, i.e. a plurality of narrow, elongate panels, the two free sides of the member being suitable connected together, as for example by an elongate jointing member already described, shape or profile retaining end pieces being located in the ends of the assembly.

Finally, the ducting may be formed of a plurality of narrow, elongate panels connected together along their longitudinal edges by narrow hinge panels formed integrally with said elongate panels. Such ducting may be of metal or plastics material.

Claims (13)

1. Ducting comprising a plurality of rigid or semi-rigid elongate panels connected together by elongate longitudinally extending jointing members or integral hinges between said panels to form said ducting.

2. Ducting according to Claim 1, wherein each of said panels has its longitudinal edges rolled to form arcuate channel sections for receiving said elongate jointing members.

3. Ducting according to Claim 1, or Claim 2, wherein said jointing members are flexible so as to act as hinges to enable relative movement between said plurality of panels.

4. Ducting according to Claim 3, wherein said jointing members each comprise two circular cross-section portions connected together by a web or flange, said circular crosssection portions locating in said arcuate channel sections of said panels.

5. Ducting according to any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said jointing members are separable from said panels to enable said panels to be transported and/or stored in a flat condition.

6. Ducting according to any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein said panels are composed of metal.

7. Ducting according any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein said elongate jointing members are composed of rubber or synthetic plastics material.

8. Ducting according to any of Claims 4 to 7, wherein a desired shape of the ducting is maintained by rigid and pieces, said end pieces being provided with inwardly facing lugs which locate between the circular crosssection portions of the elongate jointing members.

9. Ducting according to Claim 1, wherein said ducting is in the form of a roller shutter comprising a plurality of narrow elongate panels, the two free sides of the members being suitably connected together by jointing members.

10. Ducting according to Claim 1, wherein said ducting is formed of a plurality of narrow elongate panels connected together along their longitudinal edges by narrow hinge panels formed integrally with said elongate panels.

11. Ducting according to Claim 10 or Claim 11, wherein said ducting is composed of metal or synthetic plastics material.

12. Ducting substantially as herein described.

13. Ducting substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.